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Skin tears are often the result of injury to the skin from shearing, friction or blunt trauma that increase in occurrence with age. Many clinicians ues petrolatum based products secured with gauze wrap as the primary dressing. Unfortunately, this treatment causes pain and increased trauma to the patient. The purpose of this practice innovation was to utilize advanced wound care dressings that would reduce or eliminate pain and trauma upon removal.
Objective:
The purpose/objective of this practice innovation was to develop a a treatment plan for skin tears that would provide less pain and trauma to the patient while supporting ease of use for the clinician.
Methods:
Evaluate a non-adherent dressing* and an adhesive bordered version with an absorptive pad with lipido-colloid mesh gauze and carboxymethlylcellulose** to determine if they maintain moisture, provide pain-free removal, control and manage exudate, protect surrounding skin and reduce clinician time.
Outcomes:
Data gathered from clinicians in the healthcare system revealed the following outcomes:
- patient and clinician satisfaction increased
- healing was complete with no adverse events
- pain markedly decreased
- trauma free removal
Conclusion:
The use of two dressings - a non-adherent dressing and adhesive bordered version with an absorptive pad with lipido-colloid mesh gauze and carboxymethlycellulose were extremely effective in the care of patients with skin tears. This practice innovation decreased pain, increased clinician ease of use and resulted in increased healing times for our patients. These products were able to maintain moisture, provide pain-free removal, control and manage exudate, protect surrounding skin and reduce clinician time.
* Restore DUO Absorbent Dressing, non-adhesive
** Restore TRIO Absorbent Adhesive Dressing
Financial Assistance/Disclosure:
Poster is sponsored and funded by Hollister Wound Care, Hollister Inc. and Laboratoires URGO